Customer Reviews

Down Beat Hall of Fame Series the Miles Davis Reader

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Upon seeing that a book had been published containing
over 300 pages of material regarding Miles written in
DownBeat magazine I could not order it quickly enough
. . . THAT would have to be great, right? Absolutely,
right!!! This book has exceeded my high expectations.

The sturdy black hardback is divided into three sections:

1) Miles in the News
2) The Downbeat Features
3) The Downbeat Reviews

Every "item" in the reader is compiled in chronological order
and listed as such in the table of contents. So, what you have
is a well-organized documentation of Miles Davis' career as
seen in the pages of DownBeat from 1946 to the present.

It is fascinating to read past reviews of Miles work, enjoy
his three "blindfold tests," (the artist listens to music and
is asked to comment and identify title or artists if possible)
and experience the triumph's and tragedies as they appeared
in the periodical that means Jazz to many. (myself included)

If you consider yourself a fan of Miles Davis then you MUST
have this book! I look forward to many hours of listening
to his tunes and leafing through this wealth of information
and history. Apparently this is the first of a series that
is the DownBeat Hall of Fame. I can think of several other
artists whom I would like to see in this delightful format.

By the way, the book also contains a number of reproductions
of DownBeat covers featuring Miles that span from 1960-2001.
These color plates were an unexpected bonus; there are also
a number of black and white photos from DownBeat's archives.

What a Concept . . . What a Book . . . Great job, DownBeat!!!

Miles Davis has had more ink written about him than just about any other jazz artist. I've read at least a dozen of them! After a while, you begin to feel like you've read the same stories told from the same perspective over and over again.

The Miles Davis Reader is a keeper for your library. It is the first Miles Davis piece in a while that actually tells new stories and gives new insights. Other than Jack Chambers' "Milestones",(a definitive, yet concise book) this is the one to get.

Any avid fan of jazz musician Miles Davis and any music library catering to this audience needs THE MILES DAVIS READER. With so many biographies and music coverages on Miles available, why the need for yet another? Because it collects some sixty years worth of articles, interviews, news reports, police reports and record reviews, plumbing almost every type of written record on Davis and providing a selection of the best writings revealing the man and his music. This reader surveys Miles throughout his career and is a key addition, not to be missed.

More words have been written on any other musician in the printed world and here are some more. To understand the protean genius that changed social music one must understand that Miles Davis III was a social critic of his environment and his music was a product of his unique experience. He sounds off on race, music, clothing, cars, food, cooking. Miles Davis, social critic. In his own words, he runs the "voodoo down." A must read for the serious Miles scholar. Read the interviews then go listen tothe music again.

I don't know if it's really a 5 star book, but as a long-time Miles fanatic, it's 5 stars worth of enjoyment to me! Great historic reviews and articles.

Before Jazztimes became a world class jazz rag, Down beat was the source all fans of the music went to. This book shows how good the writers for this magazine could be; and if you've been a miles fan as long as I've been, you will remember some of these articles when you read them in the original issues. But if you're a relatively new Miles fan, the contents of this book will illuminate for the first time the career, recordings, and musical thoughts of Miles Davis. What is most revealing, whether you're an old or new fan, is the changing (and unchanging) attitudes and ideas Miles shares with interviewers over the decades and at each stage of his career. Also, check out the differing perspectives later - and younger- critics have regarding reissues of earlier recordings from older critical evaluations. It's all here: record and performance reviews, blindfold tests, interviews, headlines, wonderful pictures and mag covers. in short, this is essential for the jazz section of your bookshelf....or, in my case, the "Miles" section.

A fine public record of all the important writings about Miles Davis published in Downbeat magazine during its great days--sadly spoiled.
It is, to me, a crime and a pity that the publishers cheaply and, yes, stupidly, did not opt for true greatness by denying the book the one thing which would make it completely satisfying and useful--and therefore a required purchase by every musician, fan, student and school, college and library: an index. The subject is too important in the history of jazz for this book to lack one. A good, well-researched, thorough index is indispensible.
One hopes that any future printing will correct this glaring defect.

ill be brief, all the important interviews, all the reviews,[even ladder day box sets] and i assume most of the magazine covers, this is one cool book.its interesting seeing the original reviews for on the corner and live evil, they are not favorable, and how both of them are much better thought of to day, the kind of blue review pretty much sums it up, 50 years later nothing more can really be said about the greatest modern jazz album of all time[a love supreme a close second in my opinion].i will read this time and time again. do not hesitate. youll read it the first night.

Unfortunately, I do not have the book in front of me, so I may not be as specific as I'd like to be. But for any fan of Miles, or someone who wants an excellent overview of the unique music and personality of Miles Davis, this is essential. It begins with articles, reviews and interviews from the 1950's and 1960's and proceeds on through his death. Though some of the reviews I read may not be as receptive to Pete Cosey, Miles' guitarist in the 70's, as I would hope, it is excusable since I think those 70's bands were several decades ahead of their time. Anyway, rather than waste anymore time reading this review, get the book, read it and then go listen to Miles, or Duke or Herbie, or Zawinul or John McLaughlin or wherever it inspires you to go.

This is a fantastic overview of the vast career of Miles Davis through the most authoritative jazz magazine that is on stage.

Down Beat - through its Hall of Fame Series - is collecting news briefs, interviews and features of musicians for publication in book form. Davis - a Down Beat Hall-of-Fame member - is the first legend chronicled, with the bulk of material nearly covering his entire professional career.

An outstanding means to appreciate the genius of Davis, it is an essential read for fans, jazz historians or those who enjoy exploring American history through a variety of angles.